آب پاکی روی دست کسی ریختن
abe paki rooye daste kasi rikhtan
To make a final decision / clarify
Significado
To give a definitive answer or make a clear, irreversible decision.
Contexto cultural
In a culture where 'Ta'arof' (politeness) often makes people avoid saying 'no', this idiom represents a rare moment of absolute directness. It is the 'social circuit breaker' that stops the cycle of polite but empty promises. The concept of 'Ab-e Pak' (pure water) is central to Islamic rituals. The idiom uses this sacred concept of final purification to describe a secular finality in conversation. You will often see this idiom in Iranian newspapers (like Kayhan or Shargh) when a foreign power makes a final decision on a treaty or when a sports coach is definitively fired. While a folk idiom, it appears in modern Persian prose to highlight the cruelty or the relief of a final truth. It contrasts with the 'ambiguity' often found in classical Persian poetry.
Use it to end Ta'arof
If someone is being too polite and not giving you a straight answer, you can ask: 'لطفاً آب پاکی را روی دستم بریزید' (Please just give me the final no).
It's usually negative
Don't use this if you are giving someone good news. It sounds like you are disappointing them.
Significado
To give a definitive answer or make a clear, irreversible decision.
Use it to end Ta'arof
If someone is being too polite and not giving you a straight answer, you can ask: 'لطفاً آب پاکی را روی دستم بریزید' (Please just give me the final no).
It's usually negative
Don't use this if you are giving someone good news. It sounds like you are disappointing them.
The 'Hand' is key
Remember that in Persian culture, pouring water on hands is a sign of service and completion. This makes the idiom feel very 'active'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form.
وقتی مدیر گفت استخدام نمیشوم، آب پاکی را روی دستم ....... (Past Tense)
The verb 'ریختن' (to pour) is the standard verb for this idiom. In the past tense for 'he/she/it', it is 'ریخت'.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
In which scenario would you use 'آب پاکی روی دست کسی ریختن'?
The idiom is used for giving a final, definitive 'no' that ends all hope or negotiation.
Match the Persian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
This idiom specifically refers to the finality of a negative answer.
Complete the dialogue using the idiom.
A: آیا هنوز منتظری علی به تو زنگ بزند؟ B: نه، او دیروز ازدواج کرد و با این کار .....................
The news of the marriage is the final blow that ends all hope of him calling.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosوقتی مدیر گفت استخدام نمیشوم، آب پاکی را روی دستم ....... (Past Tense)
The verb 'ریختن' (to pour) is the standard verb for this idiom. In the past tense for 'he/she/it', it is 'ریخت'.
In which scenario would you use 'آب پاکی روی دست کسی ریختن'?
The idiom is used for giving a final, definitive 'no' that ends all hope or negotiation.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
This idiom specifically refers to the finality of a negative answer.
A: آیا هنوز منتظری علی به تو زنگ بزند؟ B: نه، او دیروز ازدواج کرد و با این کار .....................
The news of the marriage is the final blow that ends all hope of him calling.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's not inherently rude, but it is very direct. In a culture of Ta'arof, being this direct can sometimes feel a bit harsh, but it is often appreciated for its clarity.
Yes, you can say 'آب پاکی روی دست خودم ریختم' if you finally decided to stop hoping for something.
It refers to 'pure water' used in religious washing rituals to finalize the state of cleanliness.
It's a bit informal for a very formal email. Better to use 'پاسخ قطعی' (definitive answer) in writing, but you can use it in a business meeting.
In the idiom, yes. You are pouring it 'on the hand' of the person you are answering.
Not really. For positive finality, you might say 'مژده دادن' (giving good news) or 'خیال کسی را راحت کردن'.
In the past: ریختند (Rikhtand). In the present: میریزند (Mi-rizand).
Yes, it is understood in Dari (Afghanistan) but is most common in Iranian Persian (Farsi).
It's understandable but incomplete. The full 'on the hand of someone' is what makes it a strong idiom.
No, it's only for human decisions and answers.
Frases relacionadas
خیال کسی را راحت کردن
similarTo set someone's mind at ease (by giving a final answer).
جواب رد دادن
synonymTo give a negative answer.
یکسره کردن
similarTo finish something off / To settle it once and for all.
آب در هاون کوبیدن
contrastTo pound water in a mortar (to do something useless).
